The possibility of it happening most certainly does exist. This discussion took place yesterday afternoon instalment of Sportsnet's Hockey Central. Uncle Gary won't let any teams fold; it would be a stain on perfect entry in Wikipedia.

As a matter of fact, it's what the NHL is asking for with it's recent legal filing, per Ryan Lambert with Puck Daddy...

"The NHL requests a declaration that, if the NHLPA's decertification or disclaimer were not deemed invalid by the NLRB, and the collective bargaining relationship between the parties were not otherwise to continue, all existing contracts between NHL players and NHL teams (known as Standard Player's Contracts or "SPCs") would be void and unenforceable," the league's filing said.

Boiling that down to the simplest terms possible, the league wants the court, in the event of a decertification or disclaimer of interest, to make it so that all player contracts are null and void. Essentially, that means every player in the NHLPA, all 700-plus, would be a free agent.

It's worth a read. If only to let you know just how badly screwed up this situation can get, if both sides keep going down the road they're going.

Small market teams wouldn't survive. Who is willingly going to play for Phoenix, Florida Columbus, etc when all the big cities like Toronto and Detroit are haggling over everyone? There will be nothing but scraps left for struggling teams in nontrad markets.

It would be an exciting occurrence though, to see how every GM and owner would react.

I like it since we would attract a lot of great UFA's and have free reign to roll another superstar team, but unfortunately it would DESTROY the smaller markets as previously said due to no one wanting to go play for a market that doesn't even have fans. This would cause some mad chaos as players would try to unite as duos and friendship lines, which in the terms of hockey, we would most likely be seeing some of the best hockey we've seen. the chemistry would be unreal and you would really see some dedication out of players because they would be playing whom they really wanted to. I think this is all a tatic, but it's a scary one

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I like it since we would attract a lot of great UFA's and have free reign to roll another superstar team, but unfortunately it would DESTROY the smaller markets as previously said due to no one wanting to go play for a market that doesn't even have fans. This would cause some mad chaos as players would try to unite as duos and friendship lines, which in the terms of hockey, we would most likely be seeing some of the best hockey we've seen. the chemistry would be unreal and you would really see some dedication out of players because they would be playing whom they really wanted to. I think this is all a tatic, but it's a scary one

I'd love it not only would this lead to the end of a guy, who has destroyed hockey for almost 2 decades, no also the best owner in all of sports could finally ice a great team again. Sure the play it poor owners and some wellfare teams would need to relocate/fold but in the long run, this would be the best hockey ever loaded teams with great player development systems are fighting it out!

Also this would ensure, we'd never have a lockout again so sure a certain guy does fear it because it will be the long overdue nail in getting him fired and the NHL back on track.

In the minuscule chance that the NHL did go through with this, it's not as if every player would be released from their current team and the big market teams would be able to stack up on all the star players. I'm sure there would be some time period where every team has the opportunity to negotiate a new deal with every player on their current roster. Does anyone really think if this were to happen that every team would have equal opportunity to sign Crosby, Stamkos, Weber, etc.. Not a chance.. I'm sure most teams would remain the same but it would give owners / general managers the opportunity to negotiate better deals with their players.. and I'm sure there would be a rule against front loaded contracts and their would be a cap on the number of years allowed on a contract. I think it is a great idea for the league but I'm sure some players would disagree, namely guys like DiPietro, Gomez, Redden, Lecavalier, Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, etc..

I think all of the contracts on our current roster would be renewed, although there are a few players that I would prefer Kenny not giving a new contract.. Zetterberg, Franzen and Kronwall would be resigned to shorter term contracts which isn't necessarily a bad thing.. Anyway, as much as I hate Bettman, I think this would help the league immensely. Not so much the Wings because Kenny has done such a great job over the years but some of the teams that have signed players to contracts that haven't worked out..

I love when people say Bettman is the problem and that if hes gone everything is once again right in the world. I dont like him, I dont trust him but I'm not blind enough to not see that hes the only problem. The owners picked him because he fit the criteria of the guy they wanted. If its not him it would be some guy just like him.

As for this 700+ UFA thing, its scares the hell outta me. I also believe a handful of franchises would fold (Likely all the in the U.S.) which would be terrible to the league as whole, although I admit the caliber of hockey would improve.

I'm sure there would be some time period where every team has the opportunity to negotiate a new deal with every player on their current roster. Does anyone really think if this were to happen that every team would have equal opportunity to sign Crosby, Stamkos, Weber, etc.. Not a chance.. I'm sure most teams would remain the same but it would give owners / general managers the opportunity to negotiate better deals with their players..

Here's the key though...void & unenforceable. If there was a period set up for teams to negotiate with their former players, not current because that whole void & unenforceable thing, said former player would have to make that choice, similar to a player making the decision to negotiate with one team only at the start of their regular UFA period. There is no contract, exclusivity, connection, etc. from a legal standpoint.

There would be nothing, beyond loyalty maybe, to stop a Steven Stamkos or Sidney Crosby from saying thanks but no thanks on negotiating with their former team during an exclusive period, knowing that a bidding war is going to happen for them. By the same token, there would be nothing to stop an Alex Ovechkin, Geno Malkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, or god forbid a Pavel Datsyuk or Hank Zetterberg from saying no thanks to the NHL period & going back home to play. Decertification by the NHLPA & the courts voiding all contracts per the NHL's request looks pretty close to mutually assured destruction to me.

I wouldn't mind this, but I am not so sure that everyone will be fighting to come to Detroit and play....we lost out on the big free agents over the summer once already and we HAD the cash for them...I don't think that would change if all players became UFA. You'd have to land the biggest and best first to attract the rest, because you'd have players teaming up who want to play with each other, like the Olsen twins did. Landing the best would mean Illitch would have to whip out the wallet and get Ovie, Malkin, or......Crosby Excuse me while I wash my mouth out with soap....if Holland couldn't land any top 10 talent, then this team goes Waaay downhill for a UFA destination....

IF all 700+ players became UFA's I would hope that the new CBA would have a stipulation that the team they belong(ed) to has first crack at re-siging the players. I guess that would be a true UFA, but at least it would save some of the smaller franchises from folding....and it would keep Detroit on the map...

DAN WHATEVER YOUR f****** NAME IS CLEAR OR CLEARLY GET THE f*** OUT OF THIS TEAM BACK GO f****** LEARN TO PLAY MORON I PERSONALY DON'T GIVE A s*** THAT YR LEG IS f***ET UP, PLEASE LIIVE. ANF BABCOCK PLEASE GET READ OF OUR QUINESSSSSSYYYYY HOLLAND YOU JUST HIT THE JUCK f****** POTT!

I think though that the players you would see sign early during any exclusive period, if one even existed, would be your 3rd liners & second pairing D-men wanting to lock in a job before the bidding starts on the big boys. Who would be more concerned about having a seat when the music stops, someone like Dan Cleary or an Ian White or someone like Pavel or Hank? And as far as your roster depth guys (10th-13th forwards & 5th-7th D-men) how many GMs would lock those types of players up early vs. saving that money up to possibly attract the big stars & then fill their rosters up on the cheap with players more likely willing to play for less because those seats are filling up?

The one thing were not taking into consideration is the families of these players. Most have wives active in the community and kids in the school systems. This factor may keep at least a few players in the same organizations.